Pen to Screen: Digital Illustration Now 

For this special event, we welcome you to a panel discussion with two artists from the V&A Illustration Awards 2024. Join Benjamin Phillips, The Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year and winner of Illustration for Children and Maisy Summer, runner-up for Adult Non-Fiction illustration for an evening discussion of their early-career journey, artistic processes and the future of illustration within an increasingly digital world.

Speakers:

Benjamin Phillips is the winner of the V&A Illustration for Children Award and the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year 2024 for his illustrations in the graphic novel Alte Zachen. Written by Ziggy Hanaor and published by Cicada Books, Alte Zachen follows a boy and his grandmother, Bubbe, on a journey between the past and present as they run errands together in New York. Benjamin graduated from the illustration degree course at Brighton University in 2009. Having worked as an illustrator in South Korea and London, he is now based in Hastings, UK. Benjamin employs colour to create rich imagery and narrative detail in his illustrations. He uses separate sheets to create delicate ink washes and outlines and later combines these layers using Adobe Photoshop. His next book, One Day, written by Michael Rosen will be published in 2025 by Walker Books. 

Maisy Summer is an illustrator and animator whose work ranges from branding and publishing to editorials and large-scale murals. She was awarded the runner-up prize in the V&A Illustration Awards 2024 Adult Non-Fiction category, for a project with the Hat Works Museum in Stockport, focusing on women’s activist and welfare campaigner, Elsie Plant.  Founder of the Small Fry collective, with a playful approach to her practice, Maisy creates layers of texture with bold colour combinations and joyful compositions. She uses techniques which range from papercutting, painting and pencils to integrating digital processes with Adobe Fresco and Photoshop. Her artwork often touches upon themes of heritage, community, food and culture.

Generously supported by the Leslie Linder Foundation and Moira Gemmill Memorial Fund.

Part of the V&A’s inaugural Digital Art Season which runs until 30 November 2024, and addresses questions of technology, creativity and digital culture.